poor-mouth

[ poo r-mouth ]
/ ˈpʊərˌmaʊθ /
Informal.

verb (used without object), poor-mouthed [poo r-moutht, -mouth d] /ˈpʊərˌmaʊθt, -ˌmaʊðd/, poor-mouth·ing.

to lament or argue that one is too poor; plead poverty.

verb (used with object), poor-mouthed [poo r-moutht, -mouth d] /ˈpʊərˌmaʊθt, -ˌmaʊðd/, poor-mouth·ing.

to declare (one's ability, power, position, etc.) to be inadequate or disappointing, sometimes as an intentional understatement; downplay: We know you're just poor-mouthing your skill at playing bridge—you're a good player.

Origin of poor-mouth

1965–70; Americanism; orig. in verb phrases put up a poor mouth, make a poor mouth

Definition for poor-mouth (2 of 2)

poor mouth

noun Informal.

a person who continually complains about a lack of money.
a plea or complaint of poverty, often as an excuse for not contributing to charities, paying bills, etc.

Origin of poor mouth

First recorded in 1815–25

British Dictionary definitions for poor-mouth

poor mouth
/ Irish /

noun

unjustified complaining, esp to excite sympathy she always has the poor mouth

verb poor-mouth (tr)

informal to speak of disparagingly; decry